2nd+ labour compared with previous?

[larryphilanddave]

I'm expecting DC2 pretty soon and have just realised that I am imagining a very similar experience to what I had with DC1, which could be way off

So would you indulge me and let me know how your labours compared? Or if there were 'typical'/expected differences?

For example, first labour more likely to go overdue, second more likely to be quicker than the first... etc.

Dc1 was 39+6 and was 6.5hrs from first twinge to delivery
Dc2 was 40+0 and 3.5hrs start to finish.

Think the general trend is for them to get quicker. What was your first labour like?

Quicker. 7 hrs...2 hrs...80 mins but other than that pretty similar.

First birth was 39+4, very first twinge/suspicion 24hrs before, 12hrs from thinking I was actually going into labour. I went from 3cm to fully dilated and effaced in about 7h.

I'm not mentally prepared for going overdue and am quite hoping it will be slightly quicker, even though it didn't feel that long thanks to the G&A.

On the other hand if it is similar or quicker, that means I could well be giving birth in a couple of days

Shouldn't come as a surprise after all these months but here I am!

Let me know how it goes. I'm currently 24 weeks with number 2 and doing my best to avoid thinking about it.

Far quicker! Not much pain up to 7 cm then midwife broke my waters and when the pushing started ds was out in 8 min

Faster, quicker and easier!

First labour started naturally on day 13 after edd concluded day 14. Augmentation with syntocinon, epidural (he'd done a poo- dirty boy). Felt when it was time to push. Out within the hour with little trouble.

2nd. Induced on day 14 past edd, concluded on day 15. Broke my waters, he'd also poo'd (dirty boy), augmentation with syntocinon, epidural. But much quicker to work ( all done in 4 hours). Felt the same urge to push. Out in about 4 pushes.

So my summary was that my body responded similarly, but a bit more efficient second time around once things got going. Presentation ( post dates, meconium was similar).

DD 38+6 2hr 55mins labour. Though had a couple contractions that I thought were trapped wind a few hours before.

DS 38+4 1hr 7mins. That was induction. Very glad I was in hospital when labour started, as if I was at home, DH wouldn't get home from work in time, and I imagined giving birth on the bathroom floor with DD shut in living room and peppa pig on loop!

Both of them were just a couple of pushes and very similar weights. 6lb 13oz and 6lb 11oz.

Compared to first, walk in the park. Good luck !

Thanks for all of the responses so far, I am suitably nervous and excited now about the imminent birth!

I'll be sure to update with my own account for comparison, of course...

I'm interested too. Second birth due any day now and first was a nightmare induction!

Second was MUCH faster, but similar timing in terms of gestation.

1st labour - induced at 2wks overdue, 30+ hours from start to baby being born. 2+ hours of pushing then assisted delivery.

2nd labour - natural labour at 40+1, over in less than 5 hours, 20min pushing.

Very different!

First- over 30hrs though i was fine on gas and air alone. Ended up with ventouse, no tearing. Those 30hrs were painful but overall not a bad experience, maily due to no tearing:)

Second- ELCS when at 39 weeks we found out the baby was a breech. Walk in the park!

My first was very similar to yours:
39+2, 18 hours from waters breaking. No intervention

Unfortunately second birth was not the early self-starter I had assumed would naturally occur because of my first experience:
40+5, emergency induction only 10 hours from waters being broken, but registrar had to manually heave head out with episiotomy as DS2 was stuck (he was 2lbs heavier than DS1) and I lost 2 pints, so a lot more medical.

However, I found second labour less mind blowing and scary and didn't find induction a problem at all - it all felt very similar. Think if you're in the zone then you will be fine. Probably much worse for DH though.

Apparently second babies bob in and out of the pelvis so you don't get the consistent downward pressure that a first one will apply to your pelvis (once they're engaged they don't move out again) so that if you had your first early it doesn't necessarily follow the second will be. I found it almost intolerable after I reached 39+2 with DS2 as I kept thinking it would be any day now. Try to dismiss your expectations. I hope you will be pleasantly surprised!

Oh and push for 20mins for DS1 and 1 hour with DS2. Sorry!